Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Select the Right One Near Scranton Pennsylvania
The most important first step to start your new career in preventive dentistry is to choose the ideal dental hygienist college near Scranton PA. However, you need to examine and compare your school options before you can make your final selection. There is far more to performing your due diligence than picking the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your home. There are other significant issues to take into account as well, including the college's reputation and accreditation. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from 2 to 3 years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about a year. And consequently there is a higher cost associated with the more extensive education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these concerns and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are looking at later in this article.
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What to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Scranton PA, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online alternatives also. Even though these may be relevant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Scranton PA employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Scranton PA dental office that focuses on dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Scranton PA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Scranton PA dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are interested in how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Scranton PA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Scranton PA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to attend classes near Scranton PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Scranton
Pick the Right Scranton Dental Hygienist Program
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Scranton Pennsylvania.
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